Part 5 History of Van Wert Christianity has held an important place in our community life. From the very beginning of the town's history there has been an organization of the Methodists and I find that James Blair and wife, parents of E. J. Blair and W. F. Blair, were charter members. Before the town was three years old there had been erected by this band of pioneer Christians a church. This building stood a few feet from the sidewalk near Mr. Vaughts store, now. This building served the people for many years until the new frame building was erected on the ground where the fine brick sturcture now stands. The Christian church has not so early a history. Just after the days of the Divil War or about ten years after the first Methodist church was built. A man by the name of Josephus Porter held protracted meeting in a log building that stood one mile south of town where Mr. King's orchard now is and the close of the meeting organized the Christian church. About two years thereafter this band in turn built their firs church building with which you are all familiar, was didicated, after which it was moved and converted into the present home of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Walker. The town has enlarged her borders many times. First there was Irving's First and Second additions. Franscomb's addition, Corbett's first and second additions. Corbett also gave the town the beautiful park that we now enjoy. Later there were Barr's, Blair's and Thompson's additions. Altogether we now have the beautiful little town called Florence, Prairie City, Prairieville and Van Wert, your Home and Mine.